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1/1/2008 - Marketing Denver: An Inside Look at the City’s Plans for the DNC
BMA Breakfast Meeting, Dec. 5, 2007
Presented by Katherine Archuleta Senior Advisor on Policy and Initiatives to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper
Huge Stage to Promote “New West, New Ideas, New Energy”
Denver last hosted the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in 1908 at the Auditorium Arena. William Jennings Bryan was the Democratic Party nominee for president that year. One hundred years later, the 2008 DNC will be held August 25th through 28th at Denver’s Pepsi Center and Colorado Convention Center.
Denver’s bid to host the 2008 DNC was developed on behalf of all of the states of the Rocky Mountain West. It was designed to boost the region using the theme “New West, New Ideas, New Energy.” The 2008 DNC is expected to draw 35,000 participants, consisting of 6,000 delegates, 14,000 elected officials and 15,000 media. Administering the DNC will be 500 paid Democratic Party staff backed by10,000 volunteers. It is designated a Level 1 Security Event, requiring a significant presence of security personnel coordinated by the U.S. Secret Service.
Ninety-four metro Denver area hotels will house the DNC visitors. An estimated 1,500 special events for DNC visitors are scheduled during the convention week. The DNC’s economic contribution to the Colorado economy is projected to be $160 million.
DNC to Showcase Four Values
Mayor John Hickenlooper called for Denver’s DNC organizers to incorporate these four values in the event:
- Inclusiveness. Recognize and involve Denver’s diverse neighborhoods.
- Democracy in Action. Educate citizens on the democratic political process.
- A Green Convention. Make it the standard for environmentally responsible conventions for the 21st century.
- The “Wow” Factor. Showcase a unique Colorado signature. Making DNC a Green Convention
Denver intends to use the 2008 DNC as a model by which to market the viability of environmentally-friendly conventioneering and facilities to government and business. A staffer has been hired to focus exclusively on making this the greenest convention ever held in Colorado. Planning for seven key green initiatives has already begun:
- Recycling. Materials recycling will be taken to a new level at all DNC venues, hotels and public spaces.
- Alternative transport. Alternative-fuel vehicles will ferry delegates around town. To encourage bicycle use, a program adapted from Amsterdam will make 1,000 bicycles available for free downtown. You take a bike from a pick-up station, ride it to your destination, and then leave it for someone else to use. To encourage walking between the Pepsi and Colorado Convention Centers, delegates will be given free pedometers and related amenities.
- Green media center design. The structure to house national and international media will incorporate state-of-the-art green features developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), the University of Colorado at Denver, and the Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado.
- Energy conservation. Various carbon-reduction technologies will be incorporated in convention facilities to reduce the DNC’s carbon footprint. For example, solar panels and xeroscaping will be installed at the Colorado Convention Center.
- Water conservation To eliminate the need for disposable plastic bottles, the Denver Water Board will assist in making refillable water containers and water refill stations available to the delegates. Low-water-use plumbing will be installed at the Colorado Convention Center.
- Hospitality industry and small business training. Seminars will be given to hotels, restaurants and other hospitality providers, as well as to participating small businesses, to train them on green practices. They will receive certification as “green businesses.”
- Communications. Various programs will publicize and market the green aspects of the DNC to the media, the public and other constituencies.
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